Noots’ Notes: 2010 Preseason (RT)
By
Michael Nudo
The Bears head into preseason with some perplexing positional battles to consider. Instead of focusing on the battles themselves, I’m a bit curious as to the reasoning behind the current depth chart. What? Yeah, let’s dig in and see who is crazy from the summer heat. Is it me? Or is it them? What follows is a series of key positions that have clear question marks at the top of the depth chart.
Should Frank Omiyale be starting at right tackle? (AP photo, Paul Sancya)
OFFENSE
Right Tackle:
Frank Omiyale (6’4”, 315) is running with the first team in training camp. He was handed the starting left guard position last year, and was a disappointing fish out of water. Omiyale is a natural tackle, although he’s really proven very little as a professional. Prior to joining the Bears, he only had one start (this was at tackle) as a member of the Carolina Panthers. Should we feel confident in him being able to get the job done, especially in pass protection, with so little experience? Should he be the guy at the top of the depth chart where it’s his job to lose?
Kevin Shaffer (6’5”, 318) is an accomplished veteran, entering his 9th NFL season. Prior to joining the Bears, he had started 15 or more games for 5 consecutive years. Shaffer started the final 5 games last year and more than held his own. He’s currently being painted as a swing tackle, capable of playing either side, and maybe even a little bit of guard in a pinch. Swing tackle is a valuable position. In this case, however, it is a waste. The best players should start. And he’s not a guard. He should be the starting right tackle, until someone shows they can outplay him. Frank Omiyale has not earned the starting job at right tackle. There is no body of evidence to back Omiyale’s status as a starter. He has proven nothing.
I have a very serious concern that Frank Omiyale might be the second coming of Qasim Mitchell. Am I the only guy who remembers hearing about how Mitchell had a “great punch” coming off the line, only to show he could not be counted on to be even a consistent player? Right tackle in Mike Martz’s offense is not too different from left tackle. The pass protection responsibilities will be immense. Who would you trust with your quarterback’s protection, the guy with one career start at offensive tackle or the guy with 91? It looks like the decision may already have been made. This is ridiculous. They’re doomed to make the same mistake with Omiyale as they did a year ago. It’s only a little better in that Omiyale is a natural tackle. He needs to earn it. Shaffer has earned it.
August 2nd, 2010 at 12:10 am
True, Omiyale has proven nothing. But Angelo gave him a nice tidy sum when he signed from Carolina, so he will get first shot at RT. If he does suck at RT though, I suspect Martz and Tice won’t let him stay in, if they have somebody better in the wings. Let this one play out I think. Who gets first nod in training camp may not be who the starter is.
August 2nd, 2010 at 11:41 am
Omiyale is my LEAST favourite player. He was handed the job over Beekman last season & has shown nothing. Cliff Washburn 2